Mop

ABSTRACT

A mop includes a pipe, a case, a locating base, and a cleaning member. The case is inserted onto the pipe. The case contains a chamber and a handle extending from the top of the case. The locating base is connected to a lower end of the pipe with a fastener. Both sides of the locating base are pivotally connected with wings to secure the cleaning member. The mop allows easy wringing water from the cleaning member when in use and efficient storage of the cleaning member when not used while permitting easy replacement of the cleaning member.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

(a) Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a mop, and more particularly, to one adapted with a foldable cleaning member for easy wringing and efficient storage.

(b) Description of the Prior Art

Whereas a mop is a must in cleaning the floor, it however usually winds up a mess after use and the user wouldn't think of directly touching it in the course of washing it. Therefore, a piece of sponge or fabric adapted to the cleaning member of the mop is prevented from being easily wrung to dry.

One type of mops generally available in the market relates to an improved structure of the mop with a design of having its cleaning member folded inwardly to wring water from the cleaning member. This is done by pulling back an upper section of a pipe to drive a lower section of the pipe thus to move a braking pipe for a handle to move towards its lower end while a distribution element moves upward to drive a left braking plate and a right braking plate to fold in to each other following a base holder as a pivot. Accordingly, two cleaning components respectively disposed at lower ends of both braking plate also folds in.

Another mop is adapted with a mobile handle. The handle with its pivoting point as the axis is pulled up to elevate an upper end of a pull pipe for a lower end of the pull pipe to pull up a connection base; the connection base in turn compresses a cleaning element to wring water out of the cleaning element.

However, these two types of mop of the prior art are found with the following flaws:

1. Complicated assembling procedure and higher production cost because that too many members are involved;

2. The pull pipe has longer travel to make it not easy to operate and more strength is required;

3. Operating the linkage mechanism could easily hurt the hand of the user; and

4. Replacing the cleaning member is never an easy job.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide an improved structure of a mop to correct those flaws found with the prior art. To achieve the purpose, a mop of the present invention comprises a pipe, a case, a locating base, and a cleaning member. The pipe made in oval shape is disposed with a latch on an upper section of the pipe and a first locking hole at a lower end of the pipe. The case inserted onto the pipe contains a chamber, and two protruded portions opposite to each other respectively extend from both sides at the bottom of the case. A pair of sliding channels is provided on the inner wall of the case, and a handle extends from the top of the case. The locating base inserted into the lower end of the pipe is disposed with a second locking hole in relation to the first locking hole provided on the pipe and is inserted through with a fastener. Each of both sides of the locating base is pivoted with a wing, and a rib is disposed on the wing. The cleaning member is adapted to both wings of the locating base.

Multiple rolling members are disposed in the sliding channels of the inner wall of the case. The rolling members are balls, rollers, or rolling pillars. The rib on the wing is disposed with multiple rolling members with each related to a ball or a roller. The fastener is a screw. The cleaning member is a piece of sponge.

The present invention provides the following advantages:

1. Shorter wringing travel allows easy and handy to wring water out of the cleaning member.

2. Simplified members allow easy assembly and lower production cost.

3. The cleaning member can be fully stored to save spacing.

4. When not used, the mop firmly stands up with the cleaning member totally received in the case without compromising ambient appearance.

5. Fast and easy replacement of the cleaning member.

6. Longer reach of the cleaning member due to extending pipe when the case can be pushed to its extreme top to allow easy cleaning dead angles.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention when assembled.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing that a cleaning member of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is stored in place.

FIG. 4 is a schematic view showing that the cleaning member of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is pushed out for use.

FIG. 5 a is a perspective view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention (with each rolling member related to a ball).

FIG. 5 b is a perspective view showing a cutaway of a cleaning member of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention (with each rolling member related to a roller).

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the second preferred embodiment of the present invention as assembled.

FIG. 7 a is a perspective view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention (with each rolling member related to a ball).

FIG. 7 b is a perspective view of a cutaway of a case of the third preferred embodiment of the present invention (with each rolling member related to a roller).

FIG. 7 c is a perspective view showing a cutaway of a case of the third preferred embodiment of the present invention (with each rolling member related to a rolling pillar).

FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the third preferred embodiment of the present invention as assembled.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a first preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a pipe (1), a case (2), a locating base (3) and a cleaning member (4).

The pipe (1) in oval shape is provided with a latch (11) on an upper section of the pipe (1) and a first locking hole (12) on a lower end of the pipe (1).

The case (2) inserted onto the pipe (1) contains a chamber (21). Two protruded portions (22) opposite to each other respectively extend from both sides at the bottom of the case (2). A pair of sliding channels (23) is disposed on the inner wall of the case (2), and a handle (24) extends from the top of the case (2).

The locating base (3) inserted to the lower end of the pipe (1) is provided with a second locking hole (31) in relation to the first locking hole (12) on the pipe (1). A fastener (32) penetrates through the second locking hole (31). In this embodiment, the fastener (32) is a screw.

Each of both sides of the locating base (3) is pivoted with a wing (33) by means of a pivoting member (331), and a rib (34) is disposed on the wing (33).

The cleaning member (4) adhered to the wings (33) of the locating base (3) is one piece of sponge.

In use, as illustrated in FIG. 3, a user holds the pipe (1) with one hand and grips the handle (24) of the case (2) with another hand; and then pulls up the pipe (1) relatively to the handle (24). Since the pipe (1) is made in oval shape, it provides limiting function so that the pipe (1) engages only vertical sliding without being turned around as desired. As the pipe (1) pulls up, it drives the locating base (3) and the cleaning member (4) for the ribs (34) on the wings (33) of the locating base (3) to move up and fold along the sliding channels (23) on the inner wall of the case (2) thus to be received in the case (2) with the locating base (3) to wring water out of the cleaning member (4) until both the locating base (3) and the cleaning member (4) are completely received in the case (2). The mop when not used firmly stands up on the ground to facilitate placement due to the protruded portions (22) disposed on the bottom of the case (2).

For continuous use of the mop, push down the pipe (1) for the ribs (34) of the wings (33) of the locating base (3) to slide down along the sliding channels (23) of the case (2) for the wings (33) of the locating base (3) to clear away from the case (2) and fully spread up. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the latch (11) disposed on the pipe (1) keeps the pipe (1) in position without further sliding down in case of an area pending cleaning is difficult to access. To clean a corner, push the latch (11) to further extend the pipe (1) for easier cleaning the corner. To replace the cleaning member (4), simply loosen up the fastener (32) and replace the entire unit of the locating base (3) while saving the pipe (1) to achieve the purposes of easy removal and assembly while reducing the cost of replacement.

A second preferred embodiment of the present invention as illustrated in FIG. 5 a, includes a pipe (1A), a case (2A), a locating base (3A), and a cleaning member (4A).

The pipe (1A) in oval shape is provided with a latch (11A) on an upper section of the pipe (1A) and a first locking hole (12A) on a lower end of the pipe (1A).

The case (2A) inserted onto the pipe (1A) contains a chamber (21A). Two protruded portions (22A) opposite to each other respectively extend from both sides at the bottom of the case (2A). A pair of sliding channels (23A) is disposed on the inner wall of the case (2A), and a handle (24A) extends from the top of the case (2A).

The locating base (3A) inserted to the lower end of the pipe (1A) is provided with a second locking hole (31A) in relation to the first locking hole (12A) on the pipe (1). A fastener (32A) related to a screw penetrates through the second locking hole (31A). Each of both sides of the locating base (3A) is pivoted with a wing (33A) by means of a pivoting member (331A), and a rib (34A) is disposed on the wing (33A). Multiple rolling members (35A) are provided on the rib (34A). The rolling members (35A) may be balls or rollers (351A) as illustrated in FIG. 5 b.

The cleaning member (4A) adhered to the wings (33A) of the locating base (3A) is one piece of sponge.

In use, as illustrated in FIG. 6, the user holds the pipe (1A) with one hand and grips the handle (24A) of the case (2A) with another hand; and then pulls up the pipe (1A) relatively to the handle (24A). Since the pipe (1A) is made in oval shape, it provides limiting function so that the pipe (1A) engages only vertical sliding without being turned around as desired. As the pipe (1A) pulls up, it drives the locating base (3A) and the cleaning member (4A) for the ribs (34A) on the wings (33A) of the locating base (3A) to move up and fold along the sliding channels (23A) on the inner wall of the case (2A). When the wings (33A) on both sides of the locating base (3A) fold respectively in the protruded portions (22A), the rolling members (35A) provided on the ribs (34A) follow the sliding channels (23A) of the case (2A) to easily roll upwards. Meanwhile, the user has another hand to continue pulling the pipe (1A) relatively to the case (2A) for the wings (33A) of the locating base (3A) to fold against the locating base (3A) and drive the cleaning member (4A) on the locating base (3A) to relatively fold. In turn, the cleaning member (4A) and the locating base (3A) are received into the case (2A) to start wringing water out of the cleaning member (4A) until both the cleaning member (4A) and the locating base (3A) are fully received in the case (2A). The protruded portions (22A) on the bottom of the case (2A) help the mop firmly stand up to facilitate storage of the mop.

As illustrated in FIG. 7 a, a third preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a pipe (1B), a box (2B), a locating base (3B), and a cleaning member (4B).

The pipe (1B) in oval shape is provided with a latch (11B) on an upper section of the pipe (1B) and a first locking hole (12B) on a lower end of the pipe (1B).

The case (2B) inserted onto the pipe (1B) contains a chamber (21B). Two protruded portions (22B) opposite to each other respectively extend from both sides at the bottom of the case (2B). A pair of sliding channels (23B) is disposed on the inner wall of the case (2B). Multiple rolling members (24B) are disposed on the sliding channels (23B). The rolling members (24B) may be balls, rollers (241B) as illustrated in FIG. 7 b, rolling pillars (242B) as illustrated in FIG. 7 c. A handle (25B) extends from the top of the case (2B).

The locating base (3B) inserted to the lower end of the pipe (1B) is provided with a second locking hole (31B) in relation to the first locking hole (12B) on the pipe (1B). A fastener (32B) related to a screw penetrates through the second locking hole (31B). Each of both sides of the locating base (3B) is pivoted with a wing (33B) by means of a pivoting member (331B), and a rib (34B) is disposed on the wing (33B).

The cleaning member (4B) adhered to the wings (33B) of the locating base (3B) is one piece of sponge.

In use, as shown in FIG. 8, the user holds the pipe (1B) with one hand and grips the handle (25B) of the case (2B) with another hand; and then pulls up the pipe (1B) relatively to the handle (25B). As the pipe (1B) is made in oval shape, it provides limiting function so that the pipe (1B) engages only vertical sliding without being turned around as desired. When the pipe (1B) pulls up, it drives both the locating base (3B) and the cleaning member (4B) to move upward into the case (2B). When the wings (33B) on both sides of the locating base (3B) are received in the protruded portions (22B) on the bottom of the case (2B), the wings (33B) are allowed to easily roll due to the rolling members (24B) disposed on the sliding channels (23B) on the inner wall of the case (2B) to facilitate the ribs (34B) of the wings (33B) to roll upwardly. Accordingly, when the user has another hand continuing to pull the pipe (1B) to move against the case (2B), each wing (33B) of the locating base (3B) folds against the locating base (3B) while driving the cleaning member (4B) on the locating base (3B) to be received together with the locating base (3B) into the case (2B). In turn the water is wrung out of the cleaning member (4B) until both the locating base (3B) and the cleaning member (4B) are fully received in the case (2B). The protruded portions (22 b) on the bottom of the case (2B) help the mop firmly stand up to facilitate storage of the mop. 

1. A mop, comprising: a pipe, in oval shape, provided with a latch and a first locking hole at a lower end of the pipe; a case inserted onto the pipe containing a chamber, two protruded portions opposite to each other respectively extending from two bottom sides of the case, a pair of sliding channels being disposed on an inner wall of the case, and a handle extending from the top of the case; a locating case inserted to the lower end of the pipe, disposed with a second locking hole in relation to the first locking hole of the pipe and inserted with a fastener, two wings being pivotally connected to two sides of the locating case, the wings being provided with ribs; and a cleaning member mounted to the wings of the locating base.
 2. The mop as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of rolling members are disposed in the sliding channels on the inner wall of the case.
 3. The mop as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rolling members are balls.
 4. The mop as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rolling members are rollers.
 5. The mop as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rolling members are rolling pillars.
 6. The mop as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ribs on the wings are disposed with rolling members.
 7. The mop as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rolling members are balls.
 8. The mop as claimed in claim 6, wherein the rolling members are rollers.
 9. The mop as claimed in claim 1, wherein the fastener is a screw.
 10. The mop as claimed in claim 1, wherein the cleaning member is a piece of sponge. 